Celebrating with cake...

McKenzie Kindergarten opened as Riccarton Kindergarten on the 9th of April 1942. But it wasn't until 1954 that it became known as McKenzie Kindergarten.

In 2004, when the kindergarten celebrated it's 50th anniversary, Mabel Sellers (nee Pate) who was the original Director (as Head Teachers used to be called) returned to cut the commemorative cake, as pictured above.

McKenzie Kindergarten has always been a place of creative fun and learning.

Read the extract below from the McKenzie Kindergarten Report in 1958...

"My main impression of the McKenzie Kindergarten was the light airy building and the immense play area literally dancing with happy children – some in the paddling pool, some on the ‘fun furniture’ making a realistic train, some turning head over heels on the ‘monkey bars.’ The selection of equipment here should satisfy any child.

I was particularly charmed with the facilities for bathing the rubber dolls and washing and ironing their clothes. Some very careful ‘mothers’ and ‘fathers’ seemed to permanently inhabit the doll’s corner, dealing expertly with their babies and having cups of tea! The morning at McKenzie allows for creative activity of all kinds of rhythm, rest and song and story – all the children seem to find plenty to do – no one is bored and only a few shy children seem to ponder, wondering where to start."

Our website uses material from the Canterbury Westland Kindergarten Association's own archives, Kindergarten Chronicles and other CWFKA publications, and those sourced from the kindys themselves. Unless otherwise noted, we believe all photographs are those of the kindergarten association and sincerely apologise if we have used any images inadvertently, without appropriate credits or permissions. If so, please advise us so we can rectify the situation.

KIDSFIRST KINDERGARTENS ARE A NOT FOR PROFIT ASSOCIATION THAT HAS DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED KINDERGARTENS IN CHRISTCHURCH, CANTERBURY AND ON THE WEST COAST FOR OVER 100 YEARS - AS THE PLACE LOCAL KIDS COME TO LEARN, PLAY AND HAVE FUN.